Howard Sills

Tommy Lee Kell barricaded himself in the attic of his house and threatened a shoot-out with the officers. (CONTRIBUTED)

Tommy Lee Kell barricaded himself in the attic of his house and threatened a shoot-out with the officers. (CONTRIBUTED)

UPDATE: Teargas ends Sparta Hwy. standoff peacefully

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
A standoff between law enforcement authorities and a wanted man lasted about two hours Thursday, July 11, on the 200 block of Sparta Highway in Eatonton. The man, identified as 26-year-old Tommy Lee Kell, had barricaded himself in the attic of his house and threatened a shoot-out with the officers.
Eulalio De Leon Aldana

Eulalio De Leon Aldana

Tip leads to possible trafficking victim

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
A young woman forced to stay in a hot car all day, every day, is suspected by local authorities of being a human trafficking victim, and a joint effort was made to get her to safety.
The driver of this Toyota Corolla was killed when the car crashed straighton into the Budget Rental box truck Friday afternoon on the Sparta Highway. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

The driver of this Toyota Corolla was killed when the car crashed straighton into the Budget Rental box truck Friday afternoon on the Sparta Highway. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

Eatonton father killed in head-on collision

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
An Eatonton father was apparently killed in a head-on collision Friday, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Terence Butts, 45, of Eatonton, died in the crash that happened around 3:45 p.m. May 17.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills shows the samurai sword that was used in a recent attack on a man and his vehicle. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills shows the samurai sword that was used in a recent attack on a man and his vehicle. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Sword-swinging man jailed for aggravated assault

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
An Eatonton man is in jail after he tried to attack someone with a samurai sword, according to authorities.
Long-time Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (left) pictured with Dr. Rakesh Kumar (right). IAN TOCHER/Staff

Long-time Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (left) pictured with Dr. Rakesh Kumar (right). IAN TOCHER/Staff

Kumar trades 44 years at PGH for ‘spiritual upliftment’

Ian Tocher
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Following a 44-year career at Putnam General Hospital (PGH), Dr. Rakesh Kumar officially retired on Monday, with his departure marked by a simple but heartfelt ceremony and buffet held in the hospital’s cafeteria space.
The windshield of this Ford Ranger, driven by a 24-year-old Sparta man, was damaged when a tree fell on it while he was traveling on Pea Ridge Road. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The windshield of this Ford Ranger, driven by a 24-year-old Sparta man, was damaged when a tree fell on it while he was traveling on Pea Ridge Road. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Gusty winds pummel Putnam last week

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 18, 2024
High winds wreaked havoc in Putnam County last week, causing significant damage, man hours, and inconvenience. Local authorities and electric companies reported downed trees that caused power, cell phone, and internet outages, as well as several damaged vehicles on Thursday and Friday.
Sixteen ounces of lab-converted crystalline methamphetamine, with a street value of around $22,700, was seized by local authorities last week. COURTESY OF PCSO

Sixteen ounces of lab-converted crystalline methamphetamine, with a street value of around $22,700, was seized by local authorities last week. COURTESY OF PCSO

Pound of meth pulled from Eatonton’s streets

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Once again, the Eatonton Police Department and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office combined forces to get drugs off the streets of Eatonton and Putnam County. This time, it was more than a pound of methamphetamine.
(Photo via Google)

(Photo via Google)

Citizens lose thousands of dollars to scams

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Local residents have lost thousands of dollars due to scams recently, and Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills says he is frustrated that it’s happening so often.“It’s why we don’t have bank robberies anymore,” Sills opined.
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